V awards back with a bang after 2015
Joint organisers of the event at a press conference. Pic by Amila Gamage
V Awards is back for 2018 after the highly successful editions in 2011, 2013 and 2015. The fellowship and the launch of awards took place at Hilton Colombo Residences. The event was attended by Minister of Social Welfare and Primary Industries, Daya Gamage, the Secretary to the ministry Bandula Wickramarachchi, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Sri Lanka Terrence Jones, and the Country Director of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mohammad Younes. Actress Pooja Umashankar once again pledged her support for V- Awards at the event.
V awards is a joint venture between UN Volunteers, the Ministry of Social Welfare and Primary Industries, and News 1st/ MTV, supported by the National Steering Committee on Volunteering (NSC-V). The venture aims to recognise individuals who make extraordinary and selfless contributions to society at large and rewards the most outstanding “Volunteer of the Year” at national level.
In addition, each edition has a thematic award, which focuses on recognizing an individual volunteering for a specific thematic area. This year the thematic award will be for “Volunteering for Peace building” with a special focus on youth, peace and security.
Mohammad Younes, Country Director of UNDP, pointed out at the event that 56% of Sri Lanka’s population engage in volunteerism, contributing significantly to the nation. Addressing volunteers he said “We know that you chose to volunteer selflessly and without expectation of being recognized or rewarded. However the United Nations Volunteers wanted to recognize and appreciate your dedication as we believe it is important for you to know that what you do makes a difference.”
This year’s V Awards is scheduled to take place in December.
Nominations for V Awards will be open till August 20. Nominations can be forwarded to V Awards Secretariat, UN Volunteers Sri Lanka, 201-204 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. For more information contact V Awards through vawards@unvlk.org or visit http://vawards.lk/